Types of Hob and Oven
A hob and oven is an essential part of many kitchens and is available in a variety of styles. You can mix and match different kinds like domino, electric, and gas to fit your cooking needs.
A hob could also have safety features, such as child and control of the position. These features can prevent children from accidentally changing the temperature setting or touching the stove.
Types
The hob is the main focal point of any kitchen and can have a major impact on the final outcome of your cooking. There are a number of different types of hob and the one you choose will be based on what your specific cooking requirements are.
Gas hobs are the classic option and provide a quick heating function and instant response to temperature fluctuations. They are a preferred choice for professional chefs as they are precise in their control. They aren't as easy to clean as other hobs and could require more care.
Electric hobs are flat ceramic surface that has heated elements beneath and can be found in different sizes that have between four and six cooking zones. Each zone has a separate heating element that you can control separately. This allows you to boil potatoes on one ring and cooking sausages in another. This type of hob is much easier to heat up than gas, and also offers the safety of children since the cooking area becomes hot only when you place an oven on it.
Ceramic hobs offer a stylish and user-friendly option to gas and electric hobs. They have a smooth, hard-wearing surface that is easy to clean but aren't as quick to respond to temperature changes like other hobs and are slower to cool down.
The Domino hob is a space-saving alternative to electric and gas hobs. It incorporates ovens under the cooking surface. They can be installed in smaller kitchens that have small installation space and are suitable for kitchenettes and flats. They are typically less expensive than a standard hob and oven and can be very energy-efficient however they are also fragile and require more attention than other types of cookers.
Gas
A gas hob is a cooktop with burners that can be incorporated on kitchen countertops to give a seamless look. They are usually powered by natural or the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) but can also be powered by propane gas. They feature a sleek and modern design that can bring a touch of class to your modular kitchen.
A traditional gas stove comes with several burners, typically 4 but often as many as 6. The burners can be lit by a match or a knob. The flames are controlled by a set of valves which can be adjusted in temperature.
Contrary to this, modern gas hobs with built-in gas are equipped with multi-flame burners that allow you to regulate the outer and inner ring of each burner to manage your cooking. These burners are faster and more reliable than earlier models.
In the past, it was necessary for the gas stove to be constantly lit to ensure that the burners were hot and fueled. This was done to prevent accidents, for example, accidentally turning on an oven while the stove is still lit with an igniter or a match. Modern cookers are designed with safety as a priority. They are equipped with a device to stop the flame that shuts off the burners in the event that the pilot light fails to work.
Gas stoves and hobs need to be cleaned, checked, and maintained regularly. The best ovens and hobs way to accomplish this is to arrange a maintenance visit with a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer. They will not only ensure that your appliance is functioning properly, but also give you expert advice on how to prevent any future issues.
Electric
When it comes time to design your dream kitchen, the worktops, fridge freezer and oven will always receive the most attention but a quality hob is also essential. Whichever type you choose, traditional, induction or gas cooker, the kind of hob you pick can affect how your kitchen functions and how easy it is to keep clean.
Electric hobs use heating elements underneath the glass surface, which is typically cleaned with a non-abrasive cleaning agent. These elements are activated when you turn the hob on and can be adjusted to a variety of power levels by turning or adjusting the control knob. They may take longer to warm up than gas cookers, but once they do they are able to provide better, consistent temperature control. They also come with indicators that let you know that a zone is active or hot from cooking.
Typically, they come in a range of four to six sized rings that can be notched up to various power levels. They are ideal for flat-based cookware, but aren't the best oven choice for cast iron pans since they can overheat. Some models have dual-ring designs (such as the Belling BEL CH602T) that allow boiling water on one ring while you sauté sausages on the other. Some models even come with a 'boost' feature that concentrates the power of high-powered heat into one ring for stir fry cooking sauteing meats, searing or boiling large pots of water.
Induction hobs are different from standard electric models because they use electromagnetic fields instead of conventional gas flames to cook your food. They can achieve precise temperatures more quickly and are more efficient in energy use. They also have a cool-to touch surface and flashing heat indicators that inform you that the ring is being used or is still hot.
Ceramic
Ceramic is an ingredient which can be transformed into useful or decorative objects. It's formed by mixing clay, earthen elements powders, water and other elements to a specific shape, then subsequently fired in a high-temperature oven, also known as a Kiln. Once it's been made it can be coated or painted with decorative materials to give it texture and color.
Ceramic hobs are a beautiful combination of form and function, sitting comfortably in any modern kitchen. They work by using radiant heating technology that passes an electric current through the coiled elements hidden beneath the black glass surface of the hob. They generate heat when activated. This is then transferred to the pan through an infrared system. You can adjust the intensity of this heating by controlling the controls via knobs or a touch.
Some ceramic hobs come with dual ring designs that have one smaller and one larger cooking zone, allowing you to choose the most suitable size for your pan. There are hobs and ovens with boosters that produce powerful heat quickly. This is ideal for searing food or bringing pans to boil quickly.
In comparison to other types of hobs, ceramic cooktops typically take longer to warm up and then change temperature, but once they do they are generally more efficient in energy use. There are vented cooktops that incorporate an air-conditioning system inside the ceramic cooktop, ensuring smoke, steam and cooking smells don't linger in your home.
Induction
Induction hobs have heating elements that are comprised of copper wire coils. These coils generate electromagnets which warm the pans that are placed on top of them. The coils stir up the free electrons within the base of your pot which transmits heat efficiently and directly to your food. The surface of the stove is never hot, and the cooking zones automatically turn off when the pan is removed.
Induction hobs tend to be more expensive, however they also are more efficient in heating and consume 30-70% lower energy than gas or other kinds. They are also easier to clean as the hob surface itself isn't hot, and only the contents of your pan do.
Some manufacturers have an induction model that has extra features, such as a pause feature that cuts off the power to the stove when you walk away, or the ability to link two cooking rings simultaneously at the same power for greater flexibility. These are sometimes called FlexInduction hobs. They may be more expensive than traditional induction models but they're well worth considering if multitasking is important to you.
Our favorite is this induction hob made by Smeg. It has four good-sized cooking zones with a bridge function as well as nine power levels that give you plenty of choice for ambitious cooks. It performed well during our test with a fast heating speed and precise control when making pancakes. The hob also has an integrated dishwasher as well as an automatic pan detection feature to make cleaning even simpler. The only problem is that there are only a handful of compatible pans that can use it to cook with the utensils that have magnetic bases. This could be a problem if you have a lot of cookware that isn't compatible or some of it is suitable for induction hobs.